FOR SWEET CHARITY'S SAKE. COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS' CON. CERT. "'Oh, rich man's son, there is a toil That with all others level stands, Large charity doth not soil But only whitens soft white hands." The announcement that the famed Commercial Travellers' Choral l'artv give a concert in the Northcote town hall, on Saturday evening next, will be received with dtelight by all music-lovers. Proceeds are to he devoted to the WVomen's lHospital fund.

A BROTHER'S LOVE By GRAHAM BROWN, ,Author of "The Soul of Lucille," "The League of the Snored Scarab." eto. Published by arrangement with Cassell &amp; Co. All Rights Reserved, CHAPTER XIV. The Other Woman. Sir Thomas Littlegill led Elsie into the drawing-room, which was on the same floor as the bedroom in which her husbandi lay. "My poor Mrs. Galbraith," he said, softly, and at the kind words the tears-the first of her agony-colirsed down her cheeks. "I am an old mlan," he continued, "and have seen rmuch of life-and death, Do not be afraid to lean on me." "Oh! sair," she cried, "I cannot hide it from you, Thank you for those kind words, But-but please take me out of this house." "I should prefer to see you enter the bedroom, and take your place at the bedside as the wife of this man. Go in to your husband like a brave little womanll," "Oh, how can I thank you for your sympathy?" said Elsie, with a sob; "but do you think that my husuand could be removed to his own home? It is im...

AT A FREEMASONS' FUNCTION A SUCCESSFUL SOCIAL. Ladies, were you at the Northcote town hail on Tuesday night? Wasn t it splendid to leain so much about Freemasonry ? Lord Northcote Lodge annual social was a function of functions. Hall so nicely and tasLefully decorated by Mr. Nelson, or perhaps it ought to be prin ted Brother Nelson, for, according to the programme, that is the correct term. The beautiful floral designs in the centre of the building were the tasteful handi work of Mrs. Brace. The dressing of the stage, too, was T fine, and a pretty oblong of electric ci lights there meant something, no doubt, n to those behind the scenes. ci What a picture the march-in of the ti brethren made, with their black suits, w and white and blue ensigns, or aprons, or whatever the attire may be called. p White and blue-stay! Did we not q read last week in the "Leader" that a white color represented innocence, and t blue truth. Now, behold, the same o combination in a masonie gathering, a Oh,...

NORTHOOTE CITY COUNCIL. .Monday, July 27th, 1911. Present: The Mayor (Cr. S, ])onnia, J.P., in thi chair), Ctas, Plant, Lees, Mhton, 'Ihurratt, Henderson, Johnson, lhedmlund, MlcDonell Woolhouse Iastings, IHayes, Shwavebsch, and Glanlield. 'T'ho minutes of previous meoting and outgoing correspondence were read and comfinrmed, Cr. Plant apologised for the absence of Cr. Smith, who, through illness, was unable to attend, From At. and M. Board of Works, asking copies of any supplementary valuations made for rating purposes. -Attended to. From same, stating that the revenue derivable is not sufficient to justify water supply extension in Station st,, Northcote.-Recoived, and referred to the Commissioner, to use his besoat on donvours to have the mains extended, From saime, forwarding' forms for a further extension of the Council's guar antee of six per cent, on the cost of water supply reticulation to Walker street, Northcote, the original guar antee of ten years having expired, and the...

WITH PRESTON'S PRETTY ONES. THE SPINSTERS' DANCE, What is there in a dance that it should retain perennial attractions for young and old finder all climes and conditions? Maybe because the dance is based on spinning round. Seems a poor explanation-doesn't it? But be it noted that nearly every game that man or woman indulges in depends on something "spinning round ?" The boy plays with round marbles or top, the cricketer with solid leather ball, the tennis gil and boy with hollow ball; baseball, billiards, football, bowls, nine pins-all depend for their attractiveness on something round going round. Quoits, rounders, too; and even the homely skipping-rope has to revolve before it becomes a plaything. Now do we see why dancing survives? It is part of the glorious spin of the universe-of the earth-of man himself -and woman. Ah, there we have it-man and woman, in Tennyson's elegant diction, 'set to each other like perfect music unto noble words," form the crowning blossom of creation. T...

N.S.R.A. A large pumber of members and their friends attended by invitation at the All Saints' hall on Thursday, 23rd July, an evening tendered to the president, Mr. R, F. Brown, in appreciation of the good services rendered the association during his term. The mayor, Cr. S. Dennis presided, and Crs. Schwaebsch, Mason, Lees and McDonell were pre sent; also the lion. J. G. Membrey M.L.A., and representatives from other associations. A most enjoyable evening was spent, contributed to by the follow ing artists:-Messrs Reg. Brown, Lamb, Allen, Fuller, and Mesdames Escott, Liasant, and Irene Warren (winner of A,N.A. championship), and Master Norman Crossley favored with gramina phone records by Madame Melba and Harry Lauder. At the interval the mayor spoke of the good work done by the association, giving an account of the doings since its inception, and referring in glowing terms to the services of the president. Mr. Membrey also spoke in support of the remarks by the mayor, and promisin...

THI~E EUROPEAN CRISIS. AGAIN that "devil's cauldron," the Eastern question, is belching sulphurous fumes, and the eyes of the world are turned in that direction, in speculation as to the extent of human life to be called for. The recent war.toll did not, it appears, clear the atmosphere in dip lomatic centres; indeed it is hardly to be expected It could do so, in view of the number of years the problem has per plexed European counsels, and the con tinuous drafts it has made on cannon food, The present convulsion, in which Servia and Austria are primaries, may yet possibly be localised by the media tion of the Great Powers, and every hour's delay in the progress of events affords a chance to chancelleries and and people to recover "poise" and beat back ape and tiger instincts, which, once set free, might involve the blotting out of civilization. With all our boasted progress in education and enlightnient generally, it must be confessed that mankind, taken as a whole, responds but slo...

Unimpressed. With the boundless enthusiasm of his kind, the food faddist harangued the mob on the marvellous results to be obtained from chewing soap and cating nut butter. "Friends," he cried, swelling visibly, and slapping his chest, "two years ago I was a walking skeleton-a haggard, miserable wreck. What do you sup. pose brought about this great change in me?" He paused to see the effect of his: words. Then a voice from amongst. his listeners: "Wot change?" "It was simply a question of vera. city between us," said the oldest in habitant. "He said I was a liar, and I said he was one." "Humph l" rejoined the village post. master. "That's the first time I ever heard either of you speak the truth," Beauty is all very well at first sight, but who ever looks at it when it has been in the house throe days? A woman can ruin her complexion quicker in Society than in the kitchen. The under dog gets a lot of sym. pathy, but what he wants is help, One can usually tell by a man's whistle whet...

Eleotion Notices. Mr. Frank Anatey is announced to open1 his hection campaign at the town hall, Northcote, on AlMonday evening next at X o'clock. Mr. Anstey will speak at shire hall, P'reston, on 'T'hursday even ing.

Preston A.W.A. The fortnightly meeting was held on July 20, Mrs. Trigg presiding. One new member was elected. Arrangements were made to hold a picture night at the Thornbury theatre on August 19. At the close of next meeting (August 3rd) refreshments will be provided.

Preston P.L.C. --- " A meeting of the above was held at Rechabite hall on Thursday evening, 23rd. Mr. Davidson, president, occupied the chair, and there was a good atten dance, evincing keen interest in the proceedings, Many participated in the discussions on the varied and important matters submitted for consideration. The question of contesting the municipal elections provided an animated debate, but in view of two elections, Federal and State, that would incur a deal of work on the executive, it was decided to defer.direct opposition till a future date, It was contended that, with the advent of a Labor Government, many glaring anomalies would be adjusted. It was thought by a number that the August elections could be availed of to to wipe out the ward system, and a propaganda for that purpose is probable the following being stated as reasons: (1)-Councillors do not represent the shire as a whole, and are only respon sible fortho ward they represent; (2) The ward system is responsi...

TARO R3 mmm "The very first Suit he - tailored for me aettled the ques tion. Material, cut, fit, and finish pleased me so well I simply couldn't pass him for my next. Let him tailor you a Suit and see if you don't agree with me. His new 1914 Suit ings are exceptionally fine. Patterns post free if you cannot call, Cr rSMITH ST.and JOHNSTON ST. SCOLLINGWOOD Announcements Stocktaking Sale NOW ON. GOODS MUST BE CLEARED. GREAT REDUOTIONS in all lines of FANCY GOODS, GLASSWARE, VASES, STATIONERY, AND TOYS. The following area few of the lines: Photo Frames, 1/-, now 7jd Vases, 1/- each; now 71d Vases, 9d each, now Gd Clock Sets, 5/16 set, now 3/11 set Links, 41d pair, now ld pair Sets Studs, 1/- set, now Gd set Combs, Gd set, now 4did set Tooth Brushes, Gd set, now 3d Hair Brushes, 1/-, now Gd A. LEWIS, 350 Queen's Parade, Nth. Fitztroy. C IIAILES O()WLIER, Carpenter and SBuilder. llouses put in thorough I repair and re-decorated. "Hill Crest," 659 High Street (Regent Station), Nth. i 'rao...

FOOTBALL. Northcote suffered a crushing defeat by Footscray at Croxton on Saturday last, The latter, who tie with North Melbourne on points, but are behind on percentages, came out with the full in tention of improving their average, and Northcote suffered as a consequence. Up to half-time the visitors had all the best of the play, though Northcote had missed many opportunities for scor ing, the weakness of their forward line -as in many previous matches-being their undoing. At the interval the scores were-Footscray, 8.8; Northcote, 1.7. The third quarter was the best contested of the day, Footscray scoring 4.7 to Northcote's 3.5. In the last quarter, however, F6otscray showed their superiority ,by adding 7.5 to the locals' 1.2. Final result-Footscray, 19.20; Northcote, 5.14. The most promi nent players for Northcote were Cole, Mills, Willis (until hurt), Goodall, Beck, Suares, and Johnson, Northcote conclude their list of en gagements for this season by playing Hawthorn on the latt...

No Fighting on His Field, It was a sleepy little village, with but one claim to fame. It had been the scene of a great battle centuries ago, and every now and then stran. gers would come to gaze on the field of war, and dig furtively for relics which the canny natives had careful. ly buried in readiness for them. As one old gentleman approached the village, lie saw a lad sitting on a stile. "My lad," he asked politely, "is this the field upon which the great battle was fought?" "No, sir," replied the lad; "that be at the top of the hill." "Dear, dearl" replied the old gen tleman, playfully, "That hill must be iluite a mile away. Why ever didn't they faiht It In this field?" The lad looked at him dully as he shook his head. "Dunno, sir," he said slowly, "'less it be as this yer field belongs to Far. mer Giles, 'oo never will lend his field for anything, not even for the village sportsal"

O.S.T, The usual fortightly meeting of the Tl'hornhurv branch O.S.T'. was helh in the l'ender's Grove hall on \Vednes (lay, lBro. J. Osbornie, W. P., in the chair. lBro. Watt, of the National D)ivision was present. There were three new nmembers initiated. A team was chosen for thie howls tournllinenl t, and a lileasant hou1r waiI spent in social games, etc. 'The memburs of this and1 the )uhe of York and Preston divisions are invited to attend a temperlance rally at the Methodist church, Dundas street, on Sunday evening, when the general secretary will preach,

Up-to-date Romance. It was a secluded corner, hemmed in with palms and fairy-lights, calm, cool and restful. In the distance could be heard the strains of a band, playing a slow rapturous waltz. The very air breathed with romance. "Do you realise what it would mean if I were to give you such a beauti ful ring?" he asked her softly. She thought she did; but instead of saying so-for she wished to hear him say those blessed words himself-she cooed a gentle "What? What would it mean?" "It would mean," he said, as he rose to his feet, "that I should have to live on sixpenny lunches and wear old clothes for a year," A young constable joined the police force in Scotland, and in the course of duty found it essential to arrest a very olI offender, Arrived at the police-station he ushered him into the cells with the comment, "Mind the step." "Gae awn'," said the prisoner, with contempt. "I kent the step afore ye was born.":

P.A.F.S. Lady Northeote held its fortnightly meeting in the Friendly Societies' hall on Thursday evening. 'There was a good attendance of members. After busi ness a masked novelty night was held, which proved a great success, Sis. Ed ments taking first prize as a "Vegetable Girl," and lhro. Semnnens the gent's prize as "Dad from Wayback."